A Married Woman

Well it is official (and I am late).  We were married on the COLDEST day October 4th has ever seen, a day with snow and hail, gray skies, and of course, a very happy new couple.  We were supposed to be married outside, but were instead married in a very romantic indoor ceremony that could not have been more perfect.  We felt surrounded by love and could not have dreamed of a better "party" to celebrate our love for one another. 

Here are some of my FAVORITE moments from the "Best Day Ever"

1. jumping on the bed with your favorite ladies is a MUST on your wedding day! I feel so blessed that the "getting ready" part of the day was honestly stress free! I was nervous and couldn't eat much, but we certainly weren't running around doing anything and I wasn't worried about things not getting done.  It helped to have the best wedding planner (Cynthia @ Bosc and Brie!) and great friends who oversaw some things for us at the venue.


2. riding the trolley to the venue was seriously a blast! I was getting nervous (not about marrying my man, but silly me was so stressed about wanting my guests to LOVE my wedding and I was stressing about it being perfect for OTHERS) and this great trolley (Columbus Trolley) had some mood lighting and jammed out some jams for us! It was the best, basically. (mood lighting not pictured...)

 

 

 3. Walking down the aisle with my dad was basically the best thing that could have happened, and at precisely the right time.  I was, again, nervous about all the people who would be looking at me and judging me (I'm not skinny enough, my dress isn't pretty enough, etc etc stupid girl worries) and my dad gave the best advice "when we turn the corner, you don't look at anyone in that room.  You find christopher, lock your eyes on him, and never move them".  Wow! I listened like the straight A student that I am, and it was the best decision I made! 

4. Seeing my groom was such a thrill.  I had missed him all day and was so excited to be standing by him.  Our ceremony was seriously the most romantic thing ever.  We wrote our own vows (please please do this) and it was an incredible thing to hear the man I love tell me how he loves me.  The other best part of the ceremony was my dear friend Katie singing such an important song to me.  It is the song I sang to my mother while she was on Hospice in our family home, over and over and over again.  And a song that continues to help me see that God is Love, and from Him comes all Love.  I loved singing it to my groom, and honestly during these few minutes I forgot the hundreds of people watching us.  

5. The dances were SO fun! I loved rocking out with my dad, and snuggling close to my man friend.  I loved gettin' down with my girls, and twirling my favorite little boys.  The dance floor was certainly where to be.

 

Basically it was just fantastic.  Hope everyone loved our wedding as much as we did!!

10 Things to Never say to a Bride-to-Be

In the midst of this wedding planning season of my life, I have learned so so much about wedding etiquette, planning etiquette, and how to and how not to be a supportive person for a Bride.  At times I think about the friends who are already married, and worry that I may have said some of the following things to them (SORRY!), as I think most of us do not think of these things and how it affects the person you are speaking it to.  That being said, I hope you find this list helpful when speaking to your friend, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, etc who is preparing for their BIG day!.

1. "Weddings are not important anyway"
- Um, what? YOU may not find having a wedding important, but weddings are, by nature, important.  Not only is it a holy sacrament with historical and religious importance, but it marks the first day of a marriage that is meant for eternity.  It symbolizes a forever bond, love, and commitment.  There is nothing quite like a wedding, in that it consists of two imperfect people declaring an unconditional love and acceptance of one another for life.  They are certainly important.

2. "OMG I would NEVER do that/Spend that/choose that"
- Good for you, but this is not about you.  It is not your place to judge the bride's choices and taste.  If a bride and her groom want to spend $50k on their wedding, why does that matter to you? It in no way means you should spend that too, but you do not have the right to judge. And the invitations they pick are PERFECT for them, no one cares if you would choose them. Same with colors, bridesmaids dresses, ceremony readings, etc.  This wedding is not about you, but is about the Bride and Groom.  And while I agree that the money spent and decorative details at the wedding do not dictate the success of the marriage, it is important that the Bride and Groom celebrate their love and union in the way that is important to them.

3. "Well that is not the traditional way"
- This one I love. Well I hate it. But I love how much I hate it.  Each bride is different, each groom is different, and while weddings are certainly a tradition, the trend now (and what I found most beautiful about weddings) is to personalize the day and experience to symbolize each individual joining in this marriage.  Whether it be the processional order, the table arrangements, the veil, the music, or the invites; let the Bride and Groom choose what speaks to them most and stop telling them that their choices are not traditional, because n
o one cares.

4. "How are you planning to lose weight"
- I have gotten this from family, work clients, and strangers.  Since when does having a wedding mean I need to change every single thing about myself? (note: some encouraged plastic surgery).  While I have absolutely been trying to lose a few pounds, and have incorporated strength and cardio training into my life, it is so inappropriate that people assume that I am trying to get "skinny" just for my wedding.  Does no one care about healthy anymore?  It bothers me that people find that a more important to ask than how I am emotionally preparing for my marriage (I have never been asked that).  When brides in your life are trying to lose weight, absolutely encourage them, but make sure that they know that they will be radiating and beautiful regardless of their size because of the joy and happiness of the love they share. 

5. "Do I have to help with that?"

but seriously

- This is such a common issue I have heard from other brides.  So many assume that much of the wedding simply takes care of itself, while in reality weddings come together with lots and lots of work.  And while some people are extremely generous and offer to help with every detail, there are others who frequently ask if they are "required" to help or if they really need to help with X or Y detail.  How is a bride to respond?  I usually say NO, as I am not going to shove my wedding down anyone's throat, not to mention if people don't want to help, it is no fun making them do it.  So my advice? If a bride asks for help, help her.  If she doesn't, no need to check in on her need for your help unless you are genuinely offering.

6. "Why are you doing that/it that way/not that?"
- This is in line with the fact that it is none of your business, bitches.  Weddings are such a beautiful opportunity to have a personal representation of the Bride and Groom, and they owe no one a justification for their decisions regarding their day. 

7. "Please don't do THAT at your wedding! I HATE that..."
- This cracks me up.  Because not only are you telling a Bride that you don't like a certain tradition or event at a wedding, you are requesting that the Bride omit it from HER day to please you.  Think about it... for us, we are going to have about 200 people at our wedding... if I took requests from each, could you imagine the nightmare? Not mention, can we all just agree to recognize that the wedding is not about anyone but the bride, groom, and respective families.

8. "Have you started you teeth whitening regimen?"
- This favorite of mine came from theknot.com emails back when we had about 9 months until our wedding.  How silly of the knot to think that I was able to even begin to think about small details like that so far in advance! You would be shocked at what others have said to me in regards to the beauty prep process for my wedding.  People have asked if I'm sticking with my blonde hair, if I am going to get botox (see #4), and if I am going to get everything waxed for the day of. Why is it people's business? And why can people just not ask open ended questions... "what are you doing with your hair?" "do you have a beauty prep schedule?" just for example.

lol

9. "You are just wasting so much money"
- Well, to be honest, we are spending so much money, but why does that mean we are wasting it? Like #1 and #2, each person is going to do things a little different, from small weddings to huge weddings, everything differs.  BUT
please stop assuming that the money we and other couples spend on their wedding AND honeymoon is a waste.  I cannot wait to be old and gray with my man and think back to what will likely be our only extravagant vacation before kids.  What a special and once in a lifetime experience this wedding and honeymoon will be for us!  When talking to your friends, be empathetic by acknowledging the financial burden of weddings, but be encouraging and non judgmental by letting them know they can make the best decisions for themselves.

10. Avoiding the wedding..
- Best for Last. SO many people want to talk about our wedding with us, but there are others that hurry off the phone at the mention of it, or glaze over when we mention it.  And even more who simply have fallen off the face of the earth since we got engaged.  And while we try really hard to make most of our conversations with others NOT wedding related, every single day we are making decisions and discussing our wedding, making it hard to never mention it.  If you are not a wedding person,  or for some reason cannot join in the excitement with the happy couple, just play pretend for a few moments.  It is most likely a you issue and not the couple's issue.  That being said if the couple is obnoxious about their wedding...TELL THEM. I hope my friends would do that for me.

What things have been said to you as a bride-to-be?

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!! I thought I would share the pretty cute Google Decorations in celebration of our Earth. 

The more exposure I have to cancers, illnesses, and ailments, I am reminded over and over again of how much we have polluted our beautiful planet.  Our industrialization, greed, and thoughtless actions have led to a sick planet and lots of sick people.  So what do we do now?

Well, we change.  "Be the change you wish to see in the world".  So, stop buying highly processed foods.  For example, pink slime, which is in most ground chuck, fast food meat, etc, is waste meat sterilized with AMMONIA.  Yeah, that's a known carcinogen.  So don't eat it.  Use your consumer power and put your money where your mouth is.

Grow your own food.  Help and support the initiatives of others to grow their own food.  Buy local, organic produce. 

A nutritionist once told me to only eat foods that are either organic or have less than 5 ingredients.  It's hard.  Try it. 

Consider your carbon footprint.  How do you get from a to b?  Who do you take with you? How can you be more environmentally friendly to protect the futures of your children and mine?

#225: The beauty that is spring time.  Blooming flowers, more sunshine, bright skies.

#226: The realization that I have so much to be grateful for.

#227: Being done with my first year of grad school.

#228: ALMOST done with my first semester of students.  Here's to hoping the grade whiners fizzle out. 

#229: Lots of relaxation time with family. 

#230: Two naps in one day.

#231: Getting closer to seeing the man I love.  Three weeks is simply too long.

#232: Clean laundry after six + plus weeks of not doing laundry.

#233: Puppy Cuddles

#234: Yoga

#235: Doing downward dog with Scarlet.  For reals.

#236: Great breakfasts with friends.  Saying goodbye isn't my fortay...but saying good luck is :)

#237: Music to match my mood.  Country music can put words to my feelings and emotions much better than I can.

#238: Baby smiles, baby giggles, baby cuddles, and simply baby time.

#239: Knowing that my words do not suffice in my expressions of love.

#240: Days off to sleep in, cuddle, relax, shop, and eat.

#241: Chocolate.  And LOTS of it.

#242: Bright Spring/Summer clothes!

#243: Bikini Season.  It's so dreaded for lots of (superficial) reasons.  But I am excited.  It means boating season. 

#244: Growth. 

#245: Love. Hugs.

Celebrate Earth Day however you want.  But think critically about how you treat your home.  And how you treat all of our futures. 

Yoga

Since Colleen is peacing out to do Peace Corp things oh so soon, she has been doing some cool Ann Arbor bucket list things, including Yoga.  She looked up some different yoga places in town, and A2Yoga is awesome and lets you test out the center for a week before signing up for anything!!!  It's really great because we are getting to try several different types of yoga and learn lots before investing in a package!

We started with Vinyasa and did Anasura today.  I am doing Vinyasa again tomorrow, and on Tuesday we are hitting up a Nia class.  A2Yoga also has three FREE classes every week no matter what...SO cool.  I am really enjoying it thus far.  It's an incredible work out yet is also so calming at the same time.  I love it! 

I am also hoping that some Yoga classes at the Club will work with my schedule so I can keep reaping the benefits of free yoga classes, of course!

#218: Quiet weekends.
#219: Puppy cuddles, baby brother wrestling, and lazy saturdays.
#220: Sunday shopping trips for summer clothes, followed by warm sunshine.
#221: The winding down of the semester.  Every day seems closer to warm, long days full of shining sun and summer dresses.
#222: Grading will be done by the end of this week.  Countdown.

Happy (Day After) Valentine's Day!

I'm always a day late and a dollar short (Yay for using phrases correctly!).  But regardless, I hope you felt and experienced a LOT of love yesterday! 

Valentine's Day has lovers and haters...but I feel like I exist somewhere in between.  There is no need for a day to tell your loved one's you love them if you do that on a regular basis...but at the same time, it gives us an excuse to be extra lovey and extra celebratory!

But while you all thought it was Valentine's Day yesterday...it was actually this chicks birthday!  Happy Birthday to a truly amazing woman!  I love our coffee dates, our hang outs, our talks, and your hugs.  You're a great friend...and I am crazy about your life.  Thanks for allowing me to be a part of it :)


And look at this cutie!  It had been way too long, my dear Lisa.  Hope you know how much I enjoy smiling with you, laughing with you, and talking with you. 



#151: People love me.  A lot.  And that is an incredible thing.
#152: I love a lot of people.  And I love them passionately.  And want nothing but happiness for them ALL.
#153: Anthony told me I was the best Valentine.  And he tells me he loves me everyday I see him.  When a 7 year old loves you unconditionally...it kinda rocks your world.
#154: Gracious professors and supervisors make being sick a little less miserable.  Hoping for a speedy recovery so I can get back on the bandwagon of working hard.
#155: I'm so glad that I have been blessed with two parents who love eachother lots.
#156: I've been blessed by this one guy a lot lately.  And it's kinda the most magical experience I've had.
#157: My heart is full of gratitude and love.  I feel full with joy and full of smiles. 
#158: I love walking across campus and running in to people I know, love and miss.  Yeha....I loved seeing you yesterday!
#159: I have so many more years (decades) before I get to 1000...but I simply am so excited!

Planned Parenthood vs Susan G Komen

It all began just a few days ago when Susan G Komen spokewoman announced that as of April 1, 2012, Planned Parenthood would receive no funding from their organization.

Then the country cried out on behalf of the women that are served by Planned Parenthood.  And videos like this were created...

And women and men around the country used their voices to support such a powerful organization. 

And Then...articles like this came out today.  Komen came back and said that PP will still be eligibale for grants, even if they don't receive them.  Still shitty, really, but a better move.  The best part was that they admitted to falling in to the political warfare rather than supporting women. 

#141: Women should not be stigmatized for having sex.  It's a part of life.  I am honored to go to class every day with the people in the video above. 
#142: I like that we can laugh while we fight for the cause of women's health.  "Don't fuck with 'em, Don't fuck without 'em"
#143: A day off to enjoy being lazy and get caught up has been incredible. 
#144: While I am struggling to get through all of my grading...I recognize how grateful I am for playing a huge role in these students' academic careers. 
#145: Feeling honored, loved, cherished today.
#146: My snickerdoodle is one year old today!!!!!!  I love this puppy so much :)

Feminism

I am loving teaching...seriously.  And what I am loving the most is seeing the wheels in the minds of so many start to turn; grasping the concepts of feminism and grasping how feminism has, and will continue to, impact their lives.

So few people truly understand what feminism is, and what it represents.  It has a reputation of standing for man-hating, femi-nazi's, and wanting women to rule the world...when in reality feminism represents a fight for equality, for all people based on gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, SES and more.  Feminism represents the voice of so many, and has been the movement that has made voting by females possible, reproductive choice possible, and has allowed women to enter the workforce. 

Some of my students are so tied to the social constructed gender norms for men and women, and watching their walls come down surrounding this is incredibly rewarding.  Men don't have to be the bread winners, and women are not made for nurturing and mothering alone.  We all have gifts, talents, and dreams...and who we are on paper should never stop us from achieving our dreams!

#124: I am proud to be a feminist, and grateful to live in a time and country where saying that does not put me in danger.
#125: Grateful for my role in opening the minds of so many. 
#126: Loving the fact that my students were emailing me about the Roe anniversary this weekend.  Proud moments.
#127: Excited for the day where shame behind feminism, abortion and women's rights disappears.
#128: Male feminists are sexy.  Grateful they exist.
#129: Freedom to be the woman I want to be is huge.  I am always worried about becoming too domesticated or too stereotypically womanly...but in reality I am free to be who I want to be...and if I love children, cooking, cleaning, laundry, working, and playing...well so be it :)
#130: Free Speech

Unexpected

Life throws curve balls and surprises on a daily basis, and I am finding myself more and more open to these curve balls.

Everyone always says that good things happen when you least expect them, and I am starting to believe that they were all right.  I can't express how grateful I am for my life, my freedoms, and my joys.  And knowing that all of these things are blessings and not entitlements make me feel that much more lucky!

#119: Today marks the 49th anniversary of Roe v Wade.  Thankful for my rights to choice, my right to privacy and the right to decide my own future! 
#120: Thankful for the fact that I am loved by so many, cared for by so many, and appreciated by so many.
#121: Scarlet Doodle is such a blessing for my life!  I love having her to greet me when I get home ... and every time I come down the stairs.
#122: Comfy beds, comfy pillows, and comfy covers have gotten me through this weekend.
#123: Plans.  You all know I'm a planner, and I love having things to look forward to.

Little or Plenty

I have realized of late that people talk of things in terms of their lives being full of things or void of things....
   
               I have NO money, but SO much to pay for...
                  I have SO much to be grateful for but SO few people to enjoy life with....
                       I have NO goals, but I have SO many desires....

What has shaped our culture in to thinking of things in terms or a lot and a little? 

It bugs me.  Lots.  Because though I could vent to you (guilty) of things I don't have enough of, isn't that complaining, or the absence of gratitude?

#109: Feeling blessed, thankful, and joyful.
#110: Seeing friends that I love and haven't seen often enough. 
#111: Safety.  Driving all day in rain, sleet, snow, ice and wind has made me grateful for my safe arrival home.
#112: The chance to disagree.  The freedom, rather, to disagree.
#113: Teaching.  It has brought countless challenges, numerous trials, and plenty of headaches...but I love the challenge, the discussions, and the insight some of my students have.
#114: Smiles.  Smiling myself and seeing smiles on the faces around me.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2012 to all of my family and friends!  I had an amazing Christmas break this year and I couldn't be more grateful for those I got to spend time with!!


I was able to spend a couple days in Michigan with my family celebrating my brother's birthday and Christmas, a couple days celebrating Christmas in Ohio, a few days at the Houseboat, and several days celebrating the new year with friends in Columbus.  I couldn't have asked for anything more.  I am excited for what this new year will bring, and I can't wait to share it with you!


Now I'm not a resolution making type of person, but I do have goals for every semester:
1. Work on maintaining balance in my life.  Saying no is not a bad thing.
2. Always be honest about expectations, desires, needs, and wants in professional and personal situations.
3. Enjoy every moment; don't wish away the months, days, hours.  Every breath is a gift.

4. Put my health as a priority.  Headaches need to be controlled! I need time to work out and time to eat. 
5. Do something I've never done before...like a 1/2 marathon in April...or something like that :)

#104: New experiences, new friends and new adventures.
#105: Watching my buckeyes lose in Columbus was sad.  But watching the game around hundreds of other buckeye lovers was amazing. 
#106: Planning for my first teaching semester is nerve wracking but exciting.  Appreciating all of the encouragement.
#107: Nothing better than friends being excited about my life.  I'm excited about my life.  I love my life.  And I couldn't be more grateful for that fact.

Columbus!

#108: Columbus is an awesome city.  Not only because everyone loves the buckeyes there, but also because family life is HUGE there and there are SO many adorable, happy families there.  It's such a blessing to see smiles on the faces of little rascals.

Brief Update

Well finals week has descended upon us at the University of Michigan.  That means people are crazy, grumpy and tired.  I am most definitely included in that.

I will be done with my first semester of grad school in less than 24 hours and I couldn't be more excited.  I am looking forward to a few weeks of craziness: interning, lesson planning and sleeping.  Maybe working out, too.  We'll see.

I spent the weekend in Indianapolis and had TONS of fun, but became even more exhausted.  I am working on getting all of my work done now so I just have to turn everything in tomorrow and hope for the best!

 
Stay warm!

#92: Warm coats.  I own way too many coats, but they all have various uses, looks and warmth.  Thankful for them.
#93: Great friends, great family, a great life. 
#94: My internship has been incredible.  Challenging, difficult, frustrating.  But incredible. 

November

November means lots of things: The semester is about to wind down, which actually means amp up; It is about to get really cold really fast and snow will soon be on the ground; Christmas music is now acceptable; and you should feel burned out (check point one). 

Everything is going as planned.  It snowed on Thursday, it's really cold, I'm really busy with school, and the semester is getting crazy.  Oh and because it snowed, Christmas music is TOTALLY acceptable now. 

By the way, if you're like me and want to cry on the first snow fall, be near children on the first snow fall of the year.  I was picking up kids from school, and when it started snowing, all of the children at the school were jumping up and down, clapping, and running around in circles.  The kids talked about it the entire drive home (30 min) and also told me they need their snow pants....

Well happy November, friends.  Hang in there.  It is gonna get crazy, but just remember...

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

....

#51: Time to sleep.  I took a 3 hour nap yesterday, and slept a full nine hours last night.

#52: Healthy mamma's.  My lovely madre had to experience another ER visit last night.  She's fine...and I am eternally greatful for that.

#53: The freedom to cry.  Because I have a healthy madre, a healthy aunt, a fighting papa, and an angel grandma, I cannot listen to Martina McBride's song without crying.  And that's okay.  I love my family, and am honored to be related to such ridiculously strong people.

#54: Babies.  I can't get enough of the little one I've been getting to spend time with.  She's talking some, is so much more mobile, and gets so excited to see me. 

Welcoming in October

Well, it's official.  Only 2 months until December 1st.  Which is only 25 days until Christmas.  To me, October signals the beginning of a season filled with holidays! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are all so close that it feels like a blur, really.  But I'm so excited!!

I spent the last day of September hanging out with great friends and watching Michigan kick ass on the field.  And then later watching MSU and OSU look confused on the field.  So interesting (and depressing to see my buckeyes so lost).  It was a great day and I am so grateful to have spent quality time, not just rushed school time, in my favorite little city, Ann Arbor. 

 it was so cold...but so worth it! We were a bit late (thankfully) but thoroughly enjoyed the cheers and the laughs.  But we definitely didn't enjoy the wind.  That's for sure.  Oh so fun otherwise :)

He just really wanted to be in the picture.  So we let him be, but with the consequence of being a bunny.  P.s. check out the chick behind Denise.  She looks unsettled. 

Six Hours 'til Go

It is currently 12:21 on Thursday night (technically Friday morning but that's dumb because I haven't gone to sleep yet).

Well I officially have bronchitis.  In the dead of summer. What.The.Hell.  During the day I don't feel too bad, still coughing but it's a dry cough and not too ache-y or wheeze-y.  Night time is another story.

The Problem...

Night Time: Wheezing, difficulty getting a full breath, very light headed, CRAZY low peak flows (for you asthma illiterates, a peak flow measures lung function by blowing in to it.  It gives you a read out that lets you know how your lungs are doin.  My personal best is around 400.  My normal day is around 375.  I just took it and it was 225.  For those literate in asthma, you know how uncomfortable that is), and a wicked chest/productive cough that cough medicine, inhalers and cough drops don't even touch.

So what's a girl to do in this dilemma...the dilemma of being crazy busy yet being exhausted from being sick?  Tomorrow I have a PET scan at 7am (hence the 6 hours), a dr's appointment at 12:15, am working at 1 and my day will be done around 8:30.  I can't sleep of course because I'm uncomfortable and miserably coughing with every intake of oxygen.  So, alas, I'm facebooking and watching the Tonight Show hoping Jay Leno does headlines. 

Too bad I'm not this cute when I'm sick...

Thank you to the wonderful Yeha (she's a blogger, too...just on hiatus) for making me smile, at least, tonight!!!  She brought back to life a post she had put on my wall the Summer of 08 (a rough but learning roller coaster ride in Jackie History) about her beginning at U of M.  She was dreading North Campus...and look at where she is now!!  God has used her gifts tremendously.  And as selfish as this sounds, if she was placed on NC just for me, it would not have been a waste...seriously. 

Off to cough, TV watch, and drink fluids. 

Assumptions

Remember my post on Friends With Benefits?  Well after talking with my friend Merissa I have new insights on this topic.

There are so many phrases that circulate that have something to do with relationships: hook ups, FWB, dating, seeing someone, casual dating, one night stand and the list goes on and on.  What do they all mean?  How are they initiated?  How are you viewed within the context of each one?

the dating world:

We started talking about how difficult it is to know what you want your relationship with someone to look like after just meeting them.  Say you hit it off with a guy, and would like to see him again.  Well if you contact him he assumes you're being clingy and thinks you are in love with him...when in reality maybe you just want to be friends, or even FWB.  If he knew the truth would that change his response (blowing you off or ignoring you?).  If you want casual sex and you're a girl...how are you viewed?  Likely like a slut.  Which seems kind of ridiculous. 

If you want a relationship...you're clingy and annoying.

well that's cute.

How the HELL are we supposed to know how to respond?  Is it that hard to meet someone, become friends and see where it leads?  When did communicating get so damn hard?

FWB

Last week I drove to Ann Arbor to pick up my lovely friend Lisa (heyy girl) so we could go see Friends with Benefits.  Since first seeing the preview for this movie I was oh so excited..and knew I could only see it with her for various reasons :)  I saw No Strings Attached not long ago and thought they'd be quite similar given the plot of the movies being nearly identical, but it turned out that FWB was a lot cuter and No Strings Attached has a lot more sex in it.

Being a movie with Justin Timberlake I knew it'd be cute...and that it'd also be misleading to millions of women around the world...and I was oh so right.  It definitely sparked a gazillion of thoughts in my head though. 

Why do we have to be in serious relationships for both physical and emotional intimacy?  Are those not the relationships that we're most hurt by?  Rarely have I been hurt by someone who I have not actively chosen to give my heart to...so why is it that being friends with benefits with people is both looked down upon and rare? 

but it's not ONLY about sex

Couldn't that be the perfect combination of having a great friend and a way to meet needs that at the same time does not require expectations, standards, deep issues and dependency?  And why is it, may I ask, that when women express interest in being friends with benefits they are quickly viewed as the kind of girl that is not appropriate to introduce to their mother...yet when guys offer their status is unchanged?  Do women honestly like sex/partnership less than men?  No, not really.  So what's with the 1950's double standard?

The movie is about how two strangers realize they enjoy each others company, and that they could meet one anothers needs without entering the constraining confines of a relationship.  Obviously their feelings grow and a relationship becomes inevitable.  When I left I felt like it was too cheesy because that's never how FWB relationships end...but honestly, is that not the best way a relationship could develop?  Your best friends, you know each others quirks, you have great chemistry and you enjoy each others company.  Best way ever to determine compatibility if you ask me.  But you didn't I guess.  So that was all free. 

Amanda's Big Day Part II

So it's over.  Which is both a refreshing thought and a sad one.  We've all been looking forward to Yesterday for a YEAR (even longer, really) so now that all of the festivities are done, it feels surreal. 

Amanda was SUCH a beautiful bride, and I can't imagine a wedding that was more fun...seriously.  We danced for 5 hours and had an amazing time.  The bridal party got along great and we all enjoyed each others company which was also a HUGE bonus.  All in all...it was simply amazing.

Bachelorette Party :)

Rehearsal Dinner

Amanda's Big Day Part I

Hello blogosphere! 

I'm up, showered, dressed and lotioned at 7:30 in the morning...must be something exciting happening today.  You guessed it...Amanda's Wedding!!!

After getting less than 5 hours of sleep on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (3 hours), and Friday nights, I finally got about 7 hours last night!! I feel refreshed and ALIVE!! I am so excited to be a part of this day and grand celebration.  If anyone can last a lifetime it's these two love birds.  They are simply beautiful people who have decided to love this world, their Creator and each other through the bountiful days ahead.

Be on the lookout for pictures from the Bachelorette Party (Thursday), Rehearsal Dinner (Friday) and of course, the wedding!

Weekend Reunion

When people ask me where I am from, I have a pretty difficult time responding.  Though I was born in Ohio, I lived there for less than 2 years.  Though I live in Michigan now, it really doesn't feel like "home".  Though Kentucky is the place I feel most at home...I've never lived there. 

My childhood memories all come from one place though...Connersville, IN.  We lived there for about 8 years, and loved it so much.  It's a TINY town where everyone knows everyone and kids are allowed to play in the streets.  While we were there, my mom had my sister and I in a playgroup with several other families.  They shared babysitting coupons (best idea ever...free babysitting in a large group...always a sitter!) and we went to the pool together and many of us took swim and dance together. 

Close in the 90s, I hadn't seen these ladies in over a decade!  We met in Indianapolis this weekend and had the best time ever.  We went to dinner after giggling and drinking wine in the hotel, and went to Howl at the Moon and the Wild Beaver after dinner.  It was such great fun and am looking forward to next years get together!!!

 Dinner at Buca di Beppo.  It was quite the experience.  From leaving with swamp butt, and having cranky waitresses afraid of hot plates... it was an interesting experience for sure. 

 Some of the hottt mamas.